Flat umbrella

ABSTRACT

The umbrella has a telescopic stick and shortenable dome ribs. The crown and runners are relatively narrow and give the umbrella a flat cross section when it is in a stowed condition, but circular when in an erected condition.

O United States Patent 1111 3,590,865

[72] lnventor Manfred Brernshey [56] References Cited M99111 Royal Quebec, Canada UNITED STATES PATENTS 3; Sf; 2;?112 2,264,881 12 1941 Herbin 135 25 1 1 2,977,964 4/1961 Trippe et al. 135/20 [45] f 3 211 724 11/1965 Szivatz m1 135/25 [73] Asslgnee Teleseo Brophey Limited Momma], Quebec, Canada FOREIGN PATENTS 1,986,110 3/1968 Germany 135/20 1,990,456 3/1968 Gennany 135/20 Primary Examiner.l. Karl Bell [54] FLAT UMBRELLA Attorney-Alan Swabey 16 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 135/26 ABSTRACT: The umbrella has a telescopic stick and shor- [51] Int. Cl A45b 19/06 tenable dome ribs. The crown and runners are relatively nar- {50} Field of Search 135/20 row and give the umbrella a flat cross section when it is in a 26, 46 T stowed condition, but circular when in an erected condition.

PATENTED JUL 6 l9?! SHEET 1 BF 4 INVENTUR Manfred BREMSHEY A 'I'TURNI'I Y j PATENTEU JUL 6197! SHEET 2 BF 4 INVIiNIUR Manfred BREMSHEY A TTORNEY PATENTED JUL 6 I971 SHEET 3 OF 4 INVENTUK Manfred BREMSHEY @zmf ATTORNEY FLAT UMBRELLA BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of Invention The present invention relates to umbrellas and particularly to an umbrella which can be collapsed or folded into a flat package to be conveniently stowed when not in use.

Portable umbrellas in order to be advantageous must meet stringent requirements. They must open to a relatively large diameter so as to give the maximum shelter to the person carrying it. But when they are closed and not in use, they should be as inconspicuous as possible.

2. Description of Prior Art Much development has been made to produce umbrellas which can be collapsed and folded into small packages. However, since these umbrellas are essentially circular in cross section than even when they can be conveniently collapsed'or be folded; the resulting packages are tubular in shape and, therefore, still bulky.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a circular umbrella which can be folded or collapsed to form an essentially flat package which is more conveniently stowed (i.e. in a suitable pocket or handbag), than the conventional circular collapsible or foldable umbrella.

Certain developments have been made in so-called'flat umbrellas. For instance, it is known to produce a flat umbrella which includes a crown having rather elliptical shape with dome ribs of equal length spaced about the elliptical or flat crown. However, since the dome ribs, which are on the end portions of the major axis of the elliptical-shaped crown, extend farther away from the center of the umbrella than do the dome ribs which are connected to the end portion of the minor axis of the crown, an especially designed umbrella cover must be cut and sewn to fit the elliptical locus defined by the ends of the dome ribs. The disadvantage is that it becomes very expensive and complicated to cut and sew the umbrella cover to fit such an elliptical shape and therefore such flat umbrellas have met with relatively little success.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a flat umbrella structure which can be used with a conventional six sector umbrella cover which has a circular outline. In this respect, further attempts have been made to produce the flat umbrella so as to be adapted to a circular conventional umbrella cover as noted particularly in German Public Inspection Text 1225828. This German Public Inspection Text shows a plurality of preformed attachment eyes near the ends of each dome rib so that the dome ribs extending from the major axis end of the crown can be cut at a selected eye, making the dome rib shorter, but adapting it to meet the circular outline of the cover. There are several disadvantages that effect this development, however, for instance, the predetermined notches as provided near the eye to make it easier to cut the dome rib at the selected eye. However, this adds to the expense of manufacturing the dome ribs and also weakens the ends of the dome ribs, particularly on the dome ribs which are used on the minor axis of the crown, for which the full extent of the dome rib is needed. It is also necessary when the dome ribs are cut at a selected eye, that the ends of the dome ribs be suitably finished, for example, r'echromed.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, an umbrella is provided comprising a stick, a crown at one end of the stick and the crown having a lateral lengthwise axis and a lateral widthwise axis with the crown being greater along its lengthwise axis than along its widthwise axis. A plurality of dome ribs of equal length are pivotally mounted and extend from the lateral edges of the crown, the free ends of which normally define an elliptical outline when the dome ribs are spread out into an open position. A cover of polygonal configuration and having equal area sectors is provided superimposed over the dome ribs with the center of the cover coinciding with the axis of the stick. The outer apices of the polygonal-shaped cover defining a circular outline have a radius equal to the minor axis of the above-defined ellipse. The number of apices on the cover is equal to the number of dome ribs with the free end of each dome rib being connected to a respective apex of the cover. The so-formed umbrella has a circular outline in an open spread position with the dome ribs adjacent the lengthwise axis being in a bowed condition of naturally shorter sector length.

In a more specific sense, the umbrella includes a telescopic handle stick, a flat elongated runner corresponding in lateral shape to the crown and slidably mounted on the collapsible stick. Stretcher members are pivotally connected at one end to each dome rib and at the other end to corresponding positions on the runner.

A further feature of the umbrella is that it includes a flat handle grip on the end of the handle stick opposite the crown with the widthwise thickness of the handle corresponding to the widthwise extent of the runner and the crown. Still further, in a more specific embodiment of the invention, is a handle having transverse portions on opposite sides of the stick corresponding to the portions of the crown and runner and the handle has a runner receiving recess whereby the runner will lodge within the recess of the'handle when the umbrella is in a stowed collapsed position. Also, the handle can have cavities on the laterally extending portions for receiving the portions of the dome ribs when the umbrella is collapsed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, particular reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing, by way of illustration, a preferred embodimentthereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the umbrella in accordance with the invention which is of the collapsible type and which is collapsed and is stowed in a suitable sheath;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the umbrella with the cover removed as it is being erected from a stowed position to an open position;

FIG. 3 is a partial front elevation of the umbrella shown in FIG. 2 in an open spread position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the umbrella in an open spread position looking at it from below;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 55 in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the end dome ribs with the cover superimposed thereabove;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the umbrella spread in its open position, but with the handle on the end of the stick removed;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the different bends in two adjacent dome ribs;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged front elevation partly in cross section of a detail of the umbrella shown in the previous figures.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged front elevation, partly in cross section of a typical handle;

FIG. 11 is an end elevation view of the handle shown in FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, the embodiment shown therein is the type normally referred to as a collapsible umbrella. The umbrella is denoted generally by the numeral 20 in these figures and comprises generally of a stick 22, dome ribs 24, crown 26 and a cap 27, runners 28 and 30, and a handle 32. The cover 33 of a flexible umbrella material is normally spread over the ribs 24 as will be described below. In FIG. 1 the umbrella is shown in a carrying sheath 34.

The crown 26 is of a flat rectangular shape with pairs of slots 36 at the end edges and pairs of slots 37 in the side edges of the rectangular crown 26. An elongated recess 38 is provided in the crown normal to and bisecting the slots 36 and 37. A wire 40 is passed through this recess with the ribs 24 pivotally mounted to the wire 40 and are adapted for pivotal movement in planes extending parallel to the axis of the stick 22.

The ribs 24 in this embodiment include a first telescopic member 42 and a second telescopic member 44. The second telescopic member 44 is adapted to slide within the first telescopic member 42. When the umbrella is in a completely collapsible position, the second telescopic member 44 is almost completely within the first telescopic member 42 as shown in FIG. 1. At the end of the second telescopic member is a connector 46 to which the cover 33 is attached when it is stretched on the umbrella. The second telescopic member 44 is also connected to the coupler 48 which extends over the first telescopic member 42 and to which is hinged a stretcher 50. The stretcher 50 is pivotally connected at the other end to the first runner 28.

The runner 28 comprises a housing member 52 which defines a bore 54 through which the stick 22 is adapted to pass. The runner 28 also includes a T-shaped head made up of lateral extensions 56 and 58. The lateral extensions 56 and 58 from the top plan view as shown in FIG. 8 define a rectangular body which is relatively thin in lateral thickness. Similar to the crown 26, the runner 28, as seen in FIG. 3, includes spacedapart slots 60 defined vertically along the edge of the lateral extensions 56 and 58 and a recess 62 bisects the slots and a wire 63 is passed therethrough to which the stretchers 50 are pivoted within the recess for pivotal movement within the planes parallel to the axis of the stick 22.

To each stretcher 50 is connected a strut 64 pivoted to hinge 66. The other end of the strut 64 is connected to the second runner 30. Runner 30 includes a tubular housing 68 which has lateral extensions 70 and 72 similar to those extensions 56 and 58 of the runner 28. Also the lateral extensions 70 and 72 include slots 74 defined vertically along the edge of the extensions and are bisected by a recess 76 through which is passed a wire 78 which acts as a pivot pin for the ends of the struts 64 which are each free to pivot within planes parallel to the axis of the stick.

Stick 22 (as shown best in FIGS. 1 and 4) is collapsible and is divided into first member 80, second member 82 and a third member 84. The second and third members are in this case hexagonal in shape and the second member 82 is adapted to fit within a portion of the first member 80 which has an inner hexagonal surface similar to the other surface of the member 82. Of course member 84 also slides within the member 82 and has a hexagonal outer surface which fits within the hexagonal inner surface of the member 82. The three members can be collapsed to a length slightly longer than the length of the first member 80. Since the bore 54 of the runner 28 and the bore within the runner 30 must be large enough to extend over the larger diameter members 80 and 82 a spacer 88 which loosely slides on the member 84 is adapted to receive the runners 28 and 30 when the umbrella is in an open position.

The handle 32 includes in this case a pair of upstanding guide members 92 on opposite sides of the stick member 80 and are spaced therefrom. The distance between the guide members 92 is greater than the lateral width of the runner 28 so that the runner 28 can slide between the projections 92 into the handle 32. A recess 90 is further provided in the handle to seat the housing 52 of the runner 28 when the umbrella is in a stowed position. Of course, the stick member 80 is press fitted or otherwise fixed in a cavity provided in the base of the handle 32 as shown in FIG. 9. The handle 32 also has lateral extensions corresponding somewhat to the lateral extensions of the runners and crown. These extensions are number 94 in the drawings. These extensions are also provided with deep cavities 96 and 98 which are adapted to receive the ends of the ribs 24 when the umbrella is in a stowed position.

Finally the housing 52 of the runner 58 includes a press lever 100 which is mounted about a pivot pin and reacts against a spring 102 to lock with suitable recesses 104 provided in two positions in the stick 22. These locked positions correspond to the completely stowed position of the umbrella and to the completely open position.

The cover in the present case is octagonal in shape. The octagonal shape of the cover 33 includes eight equal area sectors 111 through 118. Each sector 111 through 118 is sewn to an adjacent sector forming stitches I21 through 128 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The cover 33 when it is made up, is positioned over the spread out dome ribs 24 with its center coinciding with the axis of the stick 22. Therefore, the stitches 121 through 128 extend radially outward from the center of the axis of the stick 22.

The dome ribs 24 as can be seen, particularly in FIGS. 5 through 7, do not extend radially from the crown, but extend outwardly from the periphery of a roughly drawn ellipse, such that four of the dome ribs 24 are hinged to one lateral portion 27 while the other four dome ribs 24 extend from the opposite lateral portion 29 of the crown 26. That is, two pairs of the dome ribs 24a extend from the slots 36 at each end of the lateral portions 27 and 29, while the remaining two pairs of dome ribs 24b extend from the slots 37 defined in the side of the lateral portions 27 and 29. As can be seen in the drawings, the dome ribs 24a are hinged at locations farther from the axis of the stick 26 than are the dome ribs 24b and the intersection of the stitches 121 through 128. However, all of the dome ribs 24 are of equal length. Therefore, the general outline of the dome ribs when they are spread out without a cover 33 is naturally a rough outline of an ellipse.

There are eight dome ribs 24 in this case, one dome rib for each apex of the octagon-shaped cover 33. The. octagonshaped cover is of a diameter corresponding somewhat to the minor axis of the ellipse formed by the ends of the dome ribs 24. The cover 33 is attached to each end of the dome ribs 24 so that the dome ribs 24b are tight with the cover, while the dome ribs 24a are slightly overbent so as to give an effective rib length equal to the distance between the slot 36 and the apex of the cover 33 at the ends of the stitches 126, I27, 122 and 123. In order to meet the present structure, as will be noted in FIG. 6, the pairs of dome ribs 24b which extend to adjacent apices of common sectors Ill and 115, form a triangle if projected which is greater than the triangle formed by the sectors Ill and 115. In other words, the dome ribs 24b are outside the sectors subtended therebetween.

On the other hand, the dome ribs 24a correspond with sectors 117 and 113 to define triangles if projected which are smaller in area than the respective sectors and 117. The dome ribs 24a are within the sectors 113 and 117.

I claim:

I. An umbrella comprising:

a. a stick;

b. a crown at one end of the stick,

I. and the crown having a lateral lengthwise axis and a lateral widthwise axis with the edges of the crown being longer along the lengthwise axis than its widthwise axis;

c. a plurality of dome ribs of equal length pivotally mounted and extending from the edges of the crown; the free ends of which normally define an elliptical outline when the dome ribs are in an open spread position;

d. a cover of polygonal configuration and having equal area sectors,

I. the center of the cover coinciding with the stick;

2. the outer apices of the polygonal-shaped cover defining a circular outline with a radius equal to the minor axis of the above-defined ellipse;

3. the number of apices of the cover being equal to the number of dome ribs with the free end of each dome rib being connected to a respective apex of the cover;

the so-formed umbrella having a circular outline in an open position and the dome ribs adjacent the major lengthwise axis being in a bowed condition of greater magnitude than the dome ribs adjacent the widthwise minor axis.

2. An umbrella as defined in claim I wherein the cover is in the shape of a regular octagon with eight equal area sectors.

3. An umbrella as defined in claim 2 wherein there are eight dome ribs, one dome rib connected to each apex of the umbrella; opposed pairs of the dome ribs adjacent the lengthwise axis, the remaining two opposed pairs of dome ribs being adjacent the widthwise axis.

4. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, wherein the crown includes two longitudinal extending portions and extending transversely on opposite sides of the stick, the stick being collapsible, a plurality of ribs pivoted to each portion of the crown, a flat elongated runner extending laterally of the stick and slidably mounted on the stick and having elongated portions on opposite sides of the stick corresponding to the portions of said crown, stretcher members pivotally connected at one end to each rib and at the other end to corresponding portions of the runner, a flat handle grip at the end of the stick whereby the runner will be adjacent the handle when the umbrella is in a stowed position and the runner will be in an area of the stick in the vicinity of the crown when the umbrella is in opened position but spaced therefrom.

5. An umbrella as defined in claim 1 a first runner slidable on the stick the ribs each comprise a first tubular member of given diameter connected to the crown and a second tubular member slidable telescopically within the first member, and said stretcher member being pivotally connected to the second tubular member; a second elongated runner being slidably mounted on the stick between the first runner and the crown, the second runner having transverse elongated portions on opposite sides of the stick corresponding to the similar portions of the crown and the first runner and struts pivotally mounted at one end to the portions of the second runner and to each stretcher member, at the other end; whereby the second runner is adjacent the crown when the umbrella is in a first position, and the second runner is adjacent the crown when the umbrella is in an open position.

6. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, wherein the stick is telescopic and includes a first member of large diameter connected to a handle, a second stick member slidable within the first member, and a third stick member slidable within the second member and connected to the crown, and means preventing the first, second and third member from rotating about their common axis, relative to each other.

7. An umbrella as defined in claim 5, wherein a handle is provided at the other end of the stick and has elongated portions corresponding to the portions of the runner and crown and a recess is provided in each elongated portion of the handle for seating the ends of the ribs when the umbrella is in collapsed position.

8. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, wherein the crown defines narrow slots aligned with the predetermined direction of the individual ribs and the ribs are pivotally mounted to the crown within the slots.

9. An umbrella as defined in claim 6, wherein the means for preventing the stick members from rotating about the common axis comprises a polygonal inner surface within the first member coacting with a similar polygonal outer surface on the second member and a similar polygonal surface on the third member coacting with a similar inner surface within the second member.

10. An umbrella as defined in claim 6, wherein first and second runners slidable on the stick, a loose spacer provided on the third member to engage the inner surfaces of the first and second runners when the umbrella is in an open position.

11. An umbrella as defined in claim 5, wherein the first runner is provided with a spring-biased catch which is adapted to cooperate with suitable recesses, in the stick to lock the umbrella in an open position or in a collapsed position.

12. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, wherein the stick includes a first tubular portion connected to the crown and a second tubular portion having a polygonal cross section adapted to telescope within the first portion and coacting with an inner surface of the first portion having a similar cross sectron to the polygonal cross section of the second portion and a handle being connected to the second portion.

13. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, wherein a handle is provided at the other end of the stick, and a recess is provided in the handle for receiving a runner and includes a pair of axially extending guide members extending at right angles to the plane of the elongated portions of the runner and the guide members being spaced from each other a distance greater than the lateral thickness of the runner.

14. An umbrella as defined in claim 1 wherein a runner slidable on the stick and having elongated portions corresponding to the crown is provided, the elongated portions of the runner have a length along the longitudinal axis of the elongated portions which is substantially greater than the lateral extent of the elongated portions and the lateral extent is less than the diameter of the stick.

15. An umbrella comprising:

a. a stick;

b. a crown mounted at one end of the stick;

1. the crown having a pair of oppositely and laterally extending portions whereby the crown has opposed end and side faces, the side faces being longer than the end faces;

c. a number of dome ribs of equal length pivotally mounted to the side and end faces for movement between an umbrella open position and an umbrella closed position;

d. an umbrella cover of water-impervious material having the shape of a regular polygon having equal area sections and apices and, radially extending sector edges;

1. the cover superimposed over the dome ribs with the locus of the apices of the polygon-shaped cover being a circle and the center thereof coinciding with the umbrella stick;

2. each dome n'b being connected at its free end to a respective apex of the cover;

the dome ribs extending from the side faces being pivoted at a point outside of the sector, containing the apex connected to the dome rib; and the dome ribs extending from the end faces being pivoted at a point within the sector including the apex.

16. An umbrella comprising:

a. a stick;

b. a crown mounted at one end of the stick;

1. the crown having a pair of oppositely and laterally extending portions whereby the crown has opposed end faces and side faces, the side faces being longer than the end faces;

c. at least a pair of dome ribs of equal length pivotally mounted to each side and end face for movement between an umbrella open position and an umbrella closed position;

d. an umbrella cover of water-impervious material having the shape of a regular polygon, having at least eight equal area sectors and apices, and radially extending sector edges;

1. the cover superimposed over the dome ribs with the locus of the apices of the polygon-shaped cover being a circle and the center thereof coinciding with the umbrella stick;

2. each dome rib being connected at its free end to a respective apex of the cover;

the pair of dome ribs extending from the side faces being pivoted to the side faces at points outside of the corresponding sectors, whereby the sector is subtended by each pair of ribs on the side faces; and, the pairs of dome ribs extending from the end faces being pivoted to the end faces at points within the corresponding sectors, and, therefore, being subtended by the sector. 

1. An umbrella comprising: a. a stick; b. a crown at one end of the stick,
 1. and the crown having a lateral lengthwise axis and a lateral widthwise axis with the edges of the crown being longer along the lengthwise axis than its widthwise axis; c. a plurality of dome ribs of equal length pivotally mounted and extending from the edges of the crown; the free ends of which normAlly define an elliptical outline when the dome ribs are in an open spread position; d. a cover of polygonal configuration and having equal area sectors,
 1. the center of the cover coinciding with the stick;
 2. the outer apices of the polygonal-shaped cover defining a circular outline with a radius equal to the minor axis of the above-defined ellipse;
 3. the number of apices of the cover being equal to the number of dome ribs with the free end of each dome rib being connected to a respective apex of the cover; the so-formed umbrella having a circular outline in an open position and the dome ribs adjacent the major lengthwise axis being in a bowed condition of greater magnitude than the dome ribs adjacent the widthwise minor axis.
 2. each dome rib being connected at its free end to a respective apex of the cover; the pair of dome ribs extending from the side faces being pivoted to the side faces at pointS outside of the corresponding sectors, whereby the sector is subtended by each pair of ribs on the side faces; and, the pairs of dome ribs extending from the end faces being pivoted to the end faces at points within the corresponding sectors, and, therefore, being subtended by the sector.
 2. each dome rib being connected at its free end to a respective apex of the cover; the dome ribs extending from the side faces being pivoted at a point outside of the sector, containing the apex connected to the dome rib; and the dome ribs extending from the end faces being pivoted at a point within the sector including the apex.
 2. An umbrella as defined in claim 1 wherein the cover is in the shape of a regular octagon with eight equal area sectors.
 2. the outer apices of the polygonal-shaped cover defining a circular outline with a radius equal to the minor axis of the above-defined ellipse;
 3. An umbrella as defined in claim 2 wherein there are eight dome ribs, one dome rib connected to each apex of the umbrella; opposed pairs of the dome ribs adjacent the lengthwise axis, the remaining two opposed pairs of dome ribs being adjacent the widthwise axis.
 3. the number of apices of the cover being equal to the number of dome ribs with the free end of each dome rib being connected to a respective apex of the cover; the so-formed umbrella having a circular outline in an open position and the dome ribs adjacent the major lengthwise axis being in a bowed condition of greater magnitude than the dome ribs adjacent the widthwise minor axis.
 4. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, wherein the crown includes two longitudinal extending portions and extending transversely on opposite sides of the stick, the stick being collapsible, a plurality of ribs pivoted to each portion of the crown, a flat elongated runner extending laterally of the stick and slidably mounted on the stick and having elongated portions on opposite sides of the stick corresponding to the portions of said crown, stretcher members pivotally connected at one end to each rib and at the other end to corresponding portions of the runner, a flat handle grip at the end of the stick whereby the runner will be adjacent the handle when the umbrella is in a stowed position and the runner will be in an area of the stick in the vicinity of the crown when the umbrella is in opened position but spaced therefrom.
 5. An umbrella as defined in claim 1 a first runner slidable on the stick the ribs each comprise a first tubular member of given diameter connected to the crown and a second tubular member slidable telescopically within the first member, and said stretcher member being pivotally connected to the second tubular member; a second elongated runner being slidably mounted on the stick between the first runner and the crown, the second runner having transverse elongated portions on opposite sides of the stick corresponding to the similar portions of the crown and the first runner and struts pivotally mounted at one end to the portions of the second runner and to each stretcher member, at the other end; whereby the second runner is adjacent the crown when the umbrella is in a first position, and the second runner is adjacent the crown when the umbrella is in an open position.
 6. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, wherein the stick is telescopic and includes a first member of large diameter connected to a handle, a second stick member slidable within the first member, and a third stick member slidable within the second member and connected to the crown, and means preventing the first, second and third member from rotating about their common axis, relative to each other.
 7. An umbrella as defined in claim 5, wherein a handle is provided at the other end of the stick and has elongated portions corresponding to the portions of the runner and crown and a recess is provided in each elongated portion of the handle for seating the ends of the ribs when the umbrella is in collapsed position.
 8. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, wherein the crown defines narrow slots aligned with the predetermined direction of the individual ribs and the ribs are pivotally mounted to the crown within the slots.
 9. An umbrella as defined in claim 6, wherein the means for preventing the stick members from rotating about the common axis comprises a polygonal inner surface within the first member coacting with a similar polygOnal outer surface on the second member and a similar polygonal surface on the third member coacting with a similar inner surface within the second member.
 10. An umbrella as defined in claim 6, wherein first and second runners slidable on the stick, a loose spacer provided on the third member to engage the inner surfaces of the first and second runners when the umbrella is in an open position.
 11. An umbrella as defined in claim 5, wherein the first runner is provided with a spring-biased catch which is adapted to cooperate with suitable recesses, in the stick to lock the umbrella in an open position or in a collapsed position.
 12. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, wherein the stick includes a first tubular portion connected to the crown and a second tubular portion having a polygonal cross section adapted to telescope within the first portion and coacting with an inner surface of the first portion having a similar cross section to the polygonal cross section of the second portion and a handle being connected to the second portion.
 13. An umbrella as defined in claim 1, wherein a handle is provided at the other end of the stick, and a recess is provided in the handle for receiving a runner and includes a pair of axially extending guide members extending at right angles to the plane of the elongated portions of the runner and the guide members being spaced from each other a distance greater than the lateral thickness of the runner.
 14. An umbrella as defined in claim 1 wherein a runner slidable on the stick and having elongated portions corresponding to the crown is provided, the elongated portions of the runner have a length along the longitudinal axis of the elongated portions which is substantially greater than the lateral extent of the elongated portions and the lateral extent is less than the diameter of the stick.
 15. An umbrella comprising: a. a stick; b. a crown mounted at one end of the stick;
 16. An umbrella comprising: a. a stick; b. a crown mounted at one end of the stick; 